Monday, July 08, 2013

Machines.......

Here's what I made for a collaborative art project.  I found the instructions in a Somerset publication called 
"Sew"....I purchased it because I wanted some really simple machine stitching projects.  


I think I have begun an intimate relationship with my sewing machine.  My husband calls it an expensive door stop.    
I sew so sporadically and I'm so new to machine stitching, that every time I decide to make a project involving the sewing machine, it takes forever just 
to remember how to change the "foot" or needle.  This week-end, we were definitely going steady.  I changed the foot to the free motion foot.  Somehow I had a jam and ended up having to take everything apart.....removed the bobbin plate and bobbin, removed the needle plate, cleared out the thread jam and decided I might as well clean.......got rid of the lint.  Then decided to change the needle since I would be sewing on 
cardstock and paper.  I guess I did not get the needle up as high as it would fit and ended up with another jam.  I mean really.....can you see what you're doing when you're installing the needle?? I have to do it by braille!  Maybe 
I need one of those mirrors like the dentist uses?   I took everything apart again!!!  I've read my instruction manual from beginning to end at least twice.  It is working now though...
 I suppose it's for the better that I had these challenges.  I had no choice but to "get intimate" with the machine.  I learned that I can, indeed, open it up and put everything back together again.....and, have it actually work....wonder of wonders!  
I managed to get a face drawn too.  I keep telling myself I'm going to draw a face every day.......well, somehow it just doesn't
quite happen.  Maybe it's because I want perfection.  I want that face I draw to look really good.  I threw that all to the wind
when I did this one.....just decided to scribble/sketch and not worry about that dreaded perfection.  
I used Stabilo pencils in my journal.
Have a fun day!!

    

5 comments:

jacki long said...

What a great post!
I could feel your frustration ...
but then your victory!
Good for you!
I like the face too, especially since it has a free feeling...
in a sort of scribble atmosphere. Really nice.
Good for you!
Great!

Carole M. said...

that is frustrating with the sewing machine Marilyn; I understand totally where you were at. Well yes, but you came out a winner in the end, that almost made it all worthwhile. Your 'face' is fantastic

Sherri Cassell said...

I love both your projects! I can relate to sewing machine frustrations. I have one collecting dust, the problem I have is always the bobbin and the stitch not being quite right. Anyway, I love your creativity.

Lisa Gordon said...

This is wonderful, Marilyn, and I do know what you mean about the sewing machine. I have a new one, and an old Sears Kenmore. when I want to get something done quickly, I use the Kenmore. It is the one I learned to sew on, and I somehow never forget how to thread/bobbin, etc. The other one???? Ugh!

Nancy said...

Feast or famine is what I call my sewing machine...It's either working perfectly or not....

I love both of your projects....